Dr Ahearn

Michael Davitt was born in Straide, County Mayo in 1846 at the height of the Great Famine. He was the second of five children born to peasant parents. When Michael was only four years old his family was evicted and they were forced to emigrate to Lancashire in England. He began working in the cotton mills at the age of nine, tragically losing his arm after it got entangled in a cogwheel. When he was fifteen he enrolled in night classes at the local Mechanics Institute where he was granted access to the library. He began to read about Irish history and the Irish social situation becoming more radical with regard to land nationalisation and Irish independence. In 1865 he joined the Irish[..]

Swami Vivekananda is the person who carried the eastern culture to the West. He was born on 12th January 1862 at Simooliya a small village near Calcutta. His father was Viswanatha Dutt. Bhuvneswari Devi was his mother. Vivekananda was named "Narendra" by his parents. He studied Sanskrit and Bengali languages even when he was young. Later he studied in a college at Calcutta. During this period he studied Eastern and Western philosophies. His father died before Narendra could complete his education. So he had to take up the responsibility as the head of the family. He had to undergo many difficulties. He lost peace of mind. In those days there lived a sage by name Ramakrishna Parama Hamsa[..]

The moon, long an object to curiosity and worship, has inspired many tales in ancient China. While on board a boat, Tang Dynasty poet Li Po was believed to have tried to embrace the reflection of the moon while he was drunk. He fell overboard and drowned. In days of yore, people regarded a round shape as family reunion; thus the appearance of a full moon was regarded as an auspicious time for family members to get together. At no other time of the year is the moon brightest and fullest on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. In 2009, that auspicious day falls on October 3, 2009, which is also known as the Mid-autumn Festival. Lantern processions and the eating of mooncakes are[..]

Gene Simmons' biography is as intriguing and interesting as the man himself - 'The Demon' of the popular 1970's hard rock band - Kiss! Gene Simmons, or originally Chaim Witz, was born on August 25, 1949, in Haifa, Israel. This Israeli-born 'American' immigrated to New York City, when he was eight years old, with his mother Florence Klein who was a Jewish Hungarian immigrant. His father, Feri Witz, also Jewish, had abandoned the family. After arriving in the U.S., he took the name Eugene Klein, and later Gene Klein. In the late-1960s, he again changed his name, this time finally to Gene Simmons. He attended Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, New York. Ever since his[..]

Although it was produced in 1604, William Shakespeare's play Othello still relates to the everyday situations of certain people. In the play, Shakespeare gives the reader situations of misguided trust, wrongful mistrust, and overpowering love. All of which are still around in modern lives, especially that of my own. Today it often occurs that people tend to keep their enemies closer than their friends. This is done in hopes that the person can undermine his enemy with friendly persuasion to participate in a wrong doing rather than using brute force. In the story, Iago befriends Othello in hopes of one day gaining Cassio's position of Lieutenant. Because he feels overlooked for the[..]

Princess Diana was killed in an accident, just after midnight on August 31, 1997. The accident occurred when the Mercedes in which she was traveling collided into a pillar in the Alma Tunnel in Paris. Reports suggest that she died on the way to the hospital. Investigations have revealed that Henri Paul, the driver at the time of the accident, had been under the influence of alcohol and this was instrumental in causing the fatal crash. While these were the reasons cited and verdict passed off, there are more 90 percent of the Britons who feel that this accident was all a sham and it was a well planned murder which involved the Royal family along with the help of MI6, the British[..]

Ancient Celt history has outlived the age of Christianity, modernization and we are seeing more interest in what creatures, and myths formed ancient Celt belief. Some of these creatures, today are the mainstream of modern Movies, and fairy tales. What are the five more well known mythical Celt spirits and Gods? The Celts lived in what is now Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There are hundreds of myths and creatures that came from this very mystical tribal culture. What are the five popular mythical beliefs in Celt legend?. 1. Cyroraeth Similar to a banshee in Welsh mythology, Cyroraeth is the bearer of impending death. A hideous looking woman with tangled hair, and long black teeth. Only[..]

If you have ever seen the beloved children's movie The Jungle Book you have likely wondered about the possibility of actual feral children. A feral child is one that has lived outside the confines of social norms, has had little if any contact with humans and knows nothing of human care for a child. These feral children are believed to be aided by animals many times such as in the story by Rudyard Kipling. Every so often, there will be a media frenzy surrounding a feral child who has been found, but is there any supporting evidence that these children were able to survive without human contact? Many stories after closer investigation have turned out to be elaborate hoaxes, but the story[..]

Pottery has been an important element in the history of the human race, allowing for the storage and transport of a range of materials as well as acting as an artistic medium for thousands of years. The earliest pottery pieces date back over 25,000 years ago and since this time it has played an important role throughout history. The creation of the potter's wheel can be seen as one of the major developments within the history of pottery. Believed to have occurred around 3,000 B.C. the potter's wheel enabled the creation of uniform pieces and the building of an industry based on the skill sets of potters. Pottery, like many other industries built up in the earliest cities as food[..]

Introduction: As much remembered for her writing as her heroic deeds, Qui Jin gave her life for her only true love--her country, and is the epitome of a Chinese heroine. "Alas! We can say that her hot heart was given, a whetstone, that the country might sharpen its dull sword." Biography of Qui Jin Her family name means "autumn," her personal name "jade;" Qui Jin's naming was probably the last time this modern-era Chinese heroine followed convention. Unusually for a girl born in the mid-1870s, Qui Jin received an excellent literary education courtesy of her scholarly parents. Yet it is reported that her mother gave up trying to teach her sewing and embroidery, for her determined daughter[..]

In 1915, twenty three year old Dorothy Leigh Sayers graduated with a degree in modern languages. (She learned classical languages in later years.) She spent the next sixteen years honing her writing skills while working at a publishing firm, as well as working as a copywriter for an advertising company. While continuing to work her "day jobs," Sayers found time to start publishing her Lord Peter Wimsey mystery novels. She was soon able to become a full-time mystery author, but continued finding the time to write plays and introductions to other's books, editing, and translating works, as well as working on her poetry. Among her translations are: Dante's Divine Comedy from Old Italian and[..]

Family history, lineage and descent can be traced through the study of genealogy. In ancient terms, its origins come from two Greek words: "genea" which means descent and "logos" which means knowledge. Thus, the study of genealogy was born, and the term genealogy became widely used to refer to the study of family ancestry. But beyond the history that obviously underlies this ancient practice of tracing lineage and descent through the storied halls of the past, lies the very heart of the purpose of genealogy. Research into family lineage and descent has persisted over time not just because of political importance or personal interest but also of the basic human need to fully understand[..]

Defence is a major preoccupation for any ruler - from the rulers of way back in antiquity to President Obama today. Times of war see resources being drained toward a wasteful expense, as well as major scientific advancements as people try to find out why things happen, and how to mitigate the injuries caused by bad things. In the ancient Chinese dynasties, warfare was undoubtedly complex, but the complexities took a different form. While today we bomb strategic locations, in those days swordsmen developed ever-finer instruments and techniques. Here is a quick run-through of the popular swords and sword-making techniques in the Han, Song, Qing and Ming dynasties. First, the Hans. The Han[..]

The origin of the Malays has always been a dispute in the academic circle. There are three primary possible theories of the early history of the Malays existence. The first earliest theory is based on the Mekong river migration called the "Yunnan Theory" published in 1890. The second most latest published theory in 1965 was the "New Guinea" theory where the Malays ancestor seafarers served as scouts and laborer to traders for 2000 years, and the most latest theory is the "Taiwan Theory" published in 1997 where it states that Malay descendants are sea migrants originally from Taiwan. Currently the Malays are an ethnic group of peoples who are primarily found living around the Malay[..]

There is such a great importance to the studies of African American History. As stated by George Santayana, "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". The history of the African Americans in America can sometimes be a touchy subject because of all the attachments that comes along with the story. The mere thought of the North American slave trade in such a modern time as this causes many to feel uncomfortable. As uncomfortable as it may seem I think there is a lot to be celebrated post the Slavery Era, Reconstruction Era and Civil Rights Era. Through the proper study of African American History/American History/World History one can see the great maturity of a Nation![..]

Throughout history, for all civilizations, a central focus of human activity has been visiting the local bazaar. The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı ÇarÅYı) in Istanbul, Turkey; was built in the 15th century, and remains the oldest covered market in the world. It covers an area greater than 54 square meters, and continues to rank as one of the world's biggest covered markets. One of the appeals of bazaars has been it is not only a market place but also a social gathering location for friends to meet and discuss the latest topics, be it solving the world's problems on hunger, or talking about the newest arrival to the family. Today there is concern that the[..]

One of the most important Spanish Painters of the Baroque era, was Bartolome Esteban Murillo. Baroque art, is art that was popular in the Catholic world from the 16th to 18th centuries. It dominant in Europe, and was encouraged by the Catholic Church, to help counteract the protestant reformation, which had overtones of iconoclastism. Baroque art included architecture, painting, sculpture, literature and philosophy - all sorts of subjects. Murillo was a painter of the Baroque era, and a phenom at that. His works are very popular. Murillo's paintings of religious themes are his most popular, but he also did many paintings of people who were living in his time. Seville was the town of his[..]

The bible's King David may well have been ancestor of Jesus, the greatest King of the ancient world and the history's first Alpha Male, but his beginnings and road to greatness were far from easy. Much like the biblical king, Michelangelo's Masterpiece, David, has a storied and checked early history. The Block of Marble That Would Become a King The enormous block of marble that would become David was quarried some 40 years before Michelangelo got his hands and chisels on it. It was delivered to the sculptor, Agostino di Duccio, an assistant to Donatello. Di Duccio did envision a statue of David from the piece, but we will never know what it might have looked like since he stopped work[..]

In the early days of epic fantasy women were often characterized as damsels in distress and nothing more than window dressing for heroes to rescue. This didn't last long as a host of writers created memorable female characters that were skilled swords women, capable world conquerers, and adventurers in their own right - yet still alluring. This article introduces you to some of the best heroines that have appeared in epic fantasy over the past several decades. The presence of heroic women has been felt all throughout the history of fantasy literature and this can be easily displayed in the tales of the Arabian Knights where Sheherezade uses her sensuality and her wits to survive. This[..]

We know them as warriors, peaceful, proud, driven, conflicted, hunters, farmers, people who were native to the American soil, way before the Europeans, or any white man, for that matter, set foot on their continent. The first inhabitants of the American continent are often referred to as 'Indians', or 'Native Americans'. They were a fierce kind of people with their culture, their stories, legends and myths, known all over the world. Every history buff can tell you about the cruel battles amongst the tribes, as well as, the desperate fight for freedom, and the downfall by 'fire water', and their worst enemy: the 'pale faces'. Through the ages, the media has tried to spread awareness, and[..]

I don't often read books twice. Not (just) because I have particuarly high standards, but because I am both blessed and cursed with in the word's of another: "an elephantine memory". Not so much for detail, but for the order and substance of experience. I have an ongoing internal chronologue of what happened when, why it happened, and more importantly how I felt about it. More so in the past than in the now--a tangible blessing of my ongoing practise of meditation--is the ever more vivid emergence of the eternal now, the light of which obscures in increasing brightness the shadows of the forgettable then. In this respect I am more than cheerfully losing my mind! With regard to books, for[..]

The idea of tyranny today is of a negative government based on one person who often abuses power and people. A recent example of tyranny in the modern sense would be Saddam Hussein. This modern view is at odds to the ancient perspective of tyranny. A tyrant was a person who by various means elevated themselves to a position of power. They usually did this by finding favour with the people, which meant treating the masses well. Peisistratos (also known as Pisistratos or Peisistratus) was a tyrant of Athens during the 6th century BC. He ruled c550-520 BC although this was not a continuous rule. Peisistratos was the son of Hippokrates (Hippocrates) and according to Herodotos (Herodotus) he[..]

If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it. January's birthstone: Garnet Garnet Powers: Facilitates night vision, ensures success Alternative Birthstone: Emerald Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January and the traditional anniversary gemstone for the second year of marriage. Archaeologists have found primitive garnet jewelry among the graves of lake dwellers which dates the use of this popular gemstone to the Bronze age. Today they are mined[..]

Charlemagne (742-814), also known as Carolus Magnus or Charles the Great, was King of the Franks (771-814) and the Western Emperor (or Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (800-814). He was also the greatest ruler of the Carolingian Dynasty. When we say that he ruled the Franks, we mean that he ruled the area that is now France, Belgium, the Netherlands and part of Germany. When we say that he ruled the Holy Roman Empire, we mean that he ruled France, Belgium, the Netherlands, all of Germany, and northern Spain. Thus he ended up ruling most of Christian Western Europe. During his reigns, Charlemagne was often at war against neighboring Christian kingdoms: he defeated the Saxons (772-804), he[..]

Belle Boyd, La Belle Rebelle, (May 9, 1843 - June 11, 1900) was a Confederate darling. Young, attractive Belle Boyd was a Confederate spy. Belle was born in Martinsburg, Virginia (Martinsburg is now part of West Virginia) and was only seventeen when the Civil War started. She had a knack for listening in on the conversations of Union officers who patronized her father's Front Royal hotel. Her familiarity with the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley provided the Confederates with valuable information in the spring of 1862. Young Belle was an enthusiastic Confederate. The year before her spying activity began, Belle shot to death an intoxicated Yankee soldier who was attempting to raise[..]

Pyramids are considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Building of pyramids started from the third dynasty, and took centuries to be completed. Even today, people are at awe how these huge and gigantic structures were built in ancient times without the use of modern technology that we have today. There are also some conspiracy theories about who built the pyramids in Egypt. There are some people who believe that aliens from outer space are responsible for building the pyramids. However, this is not true. The pyramids were build by the ancient Egyptians using slave labor. The step pyramid is considered to be the first and basic pyramid which was built during the third[..]

India is a vast and heavily populated country. Size wise it is almost as large as Europe and more important it is home to diverse religions and races from Mongolic to Dravidian and Aryan to tribal. The major religion is Hinduism but here also the number of sects and streams of Hinduism are a legion. In addition India is home to the second largest Moslem population in the world. It also houses significant minorities of Christians, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis. India has a diverse climate from freezing cold in the Himalayan regions in North India and ladakh to the hot desert of Rajasthan and on to the sultry tropical plains of the south. Thus the dress of the people of India in[..]

When I lived in San Diego, I was playing with a band called Ishmael and the Peacemakers. We were playing at gig at the World Beat Center in Balboa park. As was the norm, we waited backstage while the opening band played. I was sitting next to our bass player, Preston. Preston was a very nice guy and always had a lot of information about "life stuff". I remember there was a huge portrait of an Egyptian or Absynnian looking guy that I had been seeing for months now. Ever since I started playing reggae, this guys mug was popping up everywhere. "Hey Preston...Why do I see that guys face in every place we play a show?" I asked him. He then went on to explain who Haille Selassie was and when[..]

Everybody loves samurais because of their mystique, fierce fighting skills and legends steeped in mystery. One of the famous samurai was Honda Tadakatsu who was also known as Honda Heihachiro. He was a Japanese general of the late Sengoko and early Edo period. He lived from 1548 to 1610 and was one of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings. Tadakatsu was born in the Mikawa province in Japan and was promoted many times for his service. His son Honda Tadatomo became daimyo of Otaki and his other son Tadamasa took over Kuwana after Tadakatsu retired. Even though Honda served years of loyal service, he became estranged from the Tokugawa shogunate as it moved from military to civilian political[..]

How did settlers in the Old West really know what time it was? Did they keep close track of the hours and minutes? And whose "time" was considered the "right" time in the many small towns and farms spread across the American West? Industrial nations rely on keeping track of time and doing it accurately. Today's atomic clocks that track time in millionths of seconds are testimony to that. Even today's cheap wristwatches available at local "Big Box" stores are accurate to within a few seconds a year. But have you ever wondered how someone living in Wyoming, Nebraska, California, or Colorado would have known what time it was in 1855? Certainly clocks and watches were readily available to[..]

Is there a relationship between art and science, particularly physics? If there is, that certainly makes them strange bedfellows to say the very least. Artists employ images and metaphors; whereas, physicists use numbers and equations. Artists engage in the imaginative realm of aesthetics; the scientist spends his time in a world of crisp sharp mathematical relationships, especially between quantifiable properties. Artists create illusions designed to elicit emotions; physicists deal with exactitude. They are as different as are night and day. But remember there are shades of darkness and light flowing into one another when they are juxtaposed. And that holds true of art and science.[..]